If all goes to plan, by the time you’re reading this, the final Peacock Hill novel should be finished. (Fun fact: all our posts here on InspyRomance are scheduled by the week prior to their posting date. This gives the admin team some sanity during the week so we aren’t biting our nails hoping that a post goes up down to the wire. There have been times…)
I will just say the road to this final novel’s completion has been…fraught.
I have been plagued with self-doubt and caught up in real life drama and challenges and writing has been below the bottom of the list of things I want to do.
And yet, I knew the series needed to be finished. Danny and Claire have been waiting for their happy ending for five books, wasn’t it time for them to get their day in the sun? Except, of course, I can’t promise you it is Danny and Claire who end up together at the end of A Heart Reconsidered. Or can I?
Jamie Fischer entered the scene in A Heart Rearranged, and he got a little gleam in his eye when he met Claire. So I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens.
I don’t have a blurb. Or a pre-order link. I’ll probably just send the book out into the world without a pre-order at this point (because I really do want it to go out in November, but with editing timelines that may be a near thing, and I don’t want to put up a pre-order and then miss the date.)
But what I do have is a cover that I am absolutely in love with. My newsletter subscribers got to see this a few weeks ago (so if you like to be the first to know and see things, and you’re not signed up, you can do that here) and they all agreed with me that it was a fabulous way to round out the series.
I love that it’s a nod to the first cover (A Heart Restored) with the front of Peacock Hill. I love the icy blue that speaks of winter and chillier weather. And I love the nods to Christmas decorations, because while it’s not a Christmas book, per se, it is set at Christmas time. (And that feeds into me wanting to get this out in November! Tis the season!)
Ending a series is always a challenge. I love my characters and have enjoyed spending time at Peacock Hill. But I am also ready to move on. The difference this go-round when compared to other series is that I don’t actually know what’s next.
My books are unabashedly Christian. Not beat you over the head with preaching and people who are too good to be true, but still there is no way for them to be called anything other than straight up Christian. And it seems like the market for that is shrinking rapidly. Sweet and clean — even if there’s a hint of going to church and maybe “she prayed” in there — is eating up the contemporary Christian romance market. I don’t know if it’s popular because it’s what people want or if it’s what people buy because it’s all that’s really out there (it becomes a bit of a chicken/egg thing after a while.)
What I do know is I’m not called to write that.
Peacock Hill was supposed to be a lighter series, devoid of the hard issues that face Christians living for Jesus in today’s world like you’ll find in all my other series. (Except, I guess, my Operation Romance novellas. Those are pretty light and fluffy.) But that didn’t end up being the case.
Because, you see, my heart breaks for our world. My heart breaks for Christians in today’s culture who are being swayed to believe that as long as you’re kind and loving then it doesn’t matter who or what your worship. Don’t get me wrong, we should be kind. We should be loving. But we should also be Jesus. Jesus who spoke truth even when it was hard. Jesus who ate with sinners and left them with the realization that they needed Him–that they needed to turn from their sin and follow Jesus and let Him transform them into His image.
And so these are the things my characters wrestle with. Because it’s hard to hold that line. It’s hard to be painted as unloving and full of hate because you believe things that aren’t popular in the world today and you choose to stand firm rather than being swept along.
So what’s next? I don’t know. I have ideas, but I’m not convinced they’d sell. And the reality is that it costs money to put out quality fiction. There are, at a minimum, editors and cover designers to pay. And if my books aren’t even earning back that initial investment? Then it’s hard to justify.
So like I said in my post last month, I’m spending a lot of time praying about what God wants me to do. Because I just don’t know.
I’d love to offer two commenters their choice of any of my ebooks (and if you want this last Peacock Hill, and don’t mind waiting, that’s totally on the table). Tell me what you love about reading sweet/clean and/or what you love about more unabashedly Christian romance.
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I really only like Christian fiction. I was so excited to find it some years ago! The Potter’s House books were amazing. Unapologetically Christian. It saddens me if your market is shrinking. Thank you for all the great stories so far!
Thanks Margaret! I have only read a few of the Potter’s House books, but they were great for sure.
Hi Elizabeth, your latest cover looks fantastic:) I appreciate that you are unashamedly Christian in your writing- it is too easy to tone things down. I think this world is so messed up we need people of faith who are willing to live a congruent faith filled life. Prayers that God continues to guide you in your writing,
Blessings:)
Thanks, Wemble!
Praying for your direction, Elizabeth, we need to have writer like you who continue to be unapologetically Christian!!!
I am okay with a sweet and clean, but I prefer true Christian fiction!
Thanks, Paula!
There’s nothing wrong with sweet/clean for sure – and I do understand that people need lighter reads. (Though in my bias, I would still say my books are light, just not fluffy ).
Elizabeth,
Your new cover is so lovely! I hope our edits go well and the new book just whooshes out into the world easy-peasy! Saying prayers for you as you ponder your future direction.
Thanks Sally! So far it’s speeding along.
I prefer those unabashedly Christian books. They are an extension of my faith development: walking alongside characters who struggle and experience renewal and hope… They help me to better understand other people and be more empathetic while extending grace. I pray for discernment for you as you make the difficult choices related to writing. You are a gifted storyteller! May God continue to use you and your gifts for his glory.
Thanks, Stacey! Discernment is absolutely what I need.
I enjoy Christian Fiction because of how the stories usually deal with things that real people also deal with. Its nice to know when you pick up a book you won’t be hit with six scenes or terrible language. There’s enough of that in the real world, I don’t want it in my fictional world as well.
These are great reasons! Although I feel like sweet/clean authors would say their books fit this bill as well – just the real people things that are covered aren’t necessarily to do with faith in Christ. (So that might open up new books for you!)
Love the cover and can’t wait to read the books. I hope you keep writing. I love your more “in depth” approach to some of the tough issues.
Thanks, Betty!
If I could grab Christian readers by the shoulders and tell them they need your books, I would. As your critique buddy, I don’t know what I’d do without your flavor of stories in my life. And this one? I loved it. There were a few lines in there that made me sit back and laugh like crazy for a few minutes. Not a grin or a little chuckle, but full-on laughter.
I, too, write unabashedly Christian and sometimes find myself in your predicament, thinking a story or series will be a little lighter and then finding the characters dive into the deep end of faith issues. So I get that part, too. It does narrow the readership.
Oh that’s great to hear! I always think I’m funny, but as my older sister used to say, “Funny looking doesn’t count.” (Older sisters…what are you gonna do? :) )
And yes! You always hit those deeper faith notes too – and at the risk of starting a mutual admiration society, I love your books because of it ;)
Elizabeth, thanks for sharing your new cover. It’s lovely. I could relate to everything you wrote in your post, from the preorder issues to the part about making back what you spent to produce the book.
I’m so glad you like the cover! I am sad, though, that you identify with the rest. I was kind of hoping it was just me – your books are a delight and I always enjoy reading them.
I feel your pain! I’ve been looking for unabashedly Christian fiction, but it is getting harder and harder to find in the middle of all the sweet romance bundles. I don’t mind sweet romance sometimes, but I always prefer Christian themes. That’s why I write what I write–no way around the issues that are definitely Christian. I don’t like to get too nitty-gritty with a lot of terrible situations that I’ve never been through, so it’s not as serious as some Christian fiction. But I also don’t apologize for writing about walking those fine lines you mentioned as a follower of Jesus. Maybe all of us who write real Christian fiction just need to get together! :)
It can definitely be tricky to find since sweet and Christian and Inspirational are all starting to get lumped together. Sorry you’re feeling the pain too.
I much prefer the Christian books, over the sweet and clean. I love reading about characters who love, or come to love Christ, and even long time Christians falling short and coming to the realization of another area they need to grow in. Our journey is never over this side of heaven after all. I pretty much stay with the authors I’ve found now, and being on more street teams leaves me with plenty of books still, and even ones I still need to catch up on for those authors. You are one of the authors I’ve found that I love. Prayers for you as you delve into where to go next and whether it’s a viable venture or not.
Oh yay! And yes!! Those are the things I love to read and write about. It’s challenging and encouraging in my personal life. So I never feel like my time reading was wasted.
Elizabeth this is why I consider you a dear friend. You speak my heart completely. I am so looking forward to this last book in the series , and will be in prayer for God’s direction for your next series. Since I have all your books I am excited for the last one to be ready. Love you my dear friend!❤
Thank you Linda! ♥️
I highly prefer unabashedly Christian fiction! So many times I’ve read something that’s just sweet and clean and thought, “That would have been so much better if they’d just included Jesus!” Without Jesus, the books are usually shallow and a waste of time to read. So, I’ll keep praying for you, as I love your books!!!
Thank you for praying!
I like unabashedly Christian stories….those who have characters that struggle with real life issues like myself, but yet rely on God’s strength and guidance in their lives. Those that struggle with doubt, fear, rejection, etc, etc. Because I’ve had stories where what they are going through, I am going through the same and it shows me how they might handle it, which in turn helps remind me of how I can handle it too. (does that make sense?) More than one book God has used to “talk” to me and assure me. I LOVE when authors let the light of Christ shine in their novels!
I’ve read a few books lately that only barely mention anything about God…and I’m sorry, but I had to put them down and move on. Characters need to feel real about their Christian walk, their speech, actions, thoughts, ect need to be a natural part. Yes, we all struggle, yes, we’re all human and don’t always act/say/ or do things expected of Christians. I need to see that in a story! :-)
Please keep writing what God has you to write, you don’t know what God will say to readers through your words. They may touch on things they are going through, or encourage someone right where they are at, or remind them of promises God has given to them. Keep on being “unabashedly Christian”….we should never be ashamed of that! :-)
Thank you Trixi – it’s so encouraging to read your words and see what I try so hard to put into my stories :)
Hi Elizabeth, I love you books I feel they are the perfect balance of a light read and deeper Christian themes.
I’m going to be selfish and ask to please don’t stop writing, but in the same breath you must go where God leads as he has the perfect plan for you. Will be praying for guidance.
I am waiting for my birthday kindle voucher from my mum to by the whole series, just 2 more weeks to wait haha.
Oh! Thank you for saying they’re a balance! That’s definitely what I want but I never know if I hit it :)
I don’t think I will stop writing. I do feel it’s what God is asking me to do. I think it circles back to needing to remember that I do write for him first and any of my goals second.
I really enjoy unabashedly Christian romance, in which close to real life characters have real troubles and the plot only resolves when they are okay with God’s will.
I’m okay with reading sweet/clean romance and the “I go to Church on Sunday, but that’s the only Christian mention in a book” stories sometimes… it just gets old soon.
I get tired of those easily myself. They are a fun break now and then, but they aren’t what draws me.
I like the fact that CCR books have more meat to them. Sweet and clean books often fall a little flat for me.
They really are much meatier. Because there’s a whole spiritual layer to the problems that can be explored and dealt with.
I’d a thousand times rather read Christian than sweet/clean!!! I just this year started adding in sweet/clean, and that was because those authors were recommended by other authors. However, the more I read, the more I was disheartened by the books. I kept thinking how much better they would be if there was a real faith expressed in those books. Also, I was extremely irritated that they would say in the book that “he’s the 2nd son, so he has to either be a vicar or an attorney.” NO!!!!!!!!!!! That’s NOT why you become a vicar!! Even though the books were set in the Regency period!! I read a few, and have now decided (after reading this for the 2nd time in two different authors books) to go back totally to Christian fiction. I’ve found soooo many more Christian authors this year than I ever knew of, and most of them are self-published. I know I still have some sweet/clean reads on my Kindle. I haven’t read them yet. I do plan to, and then I’ll delete them. My Christian fiction will stay on my Kindle account, that’s for sure!! I won’t be getting sweet/clean anymore. I’m back to my Christian fiction only conviction!!! So, keep writing!! I’m going to add your books to my TBR stack, that keeps on growing!!
Oh wow – thanks for sharing! I’m glad you’re finding more Christian authors who are steering away from sweet. That’s great to hear!
I like reading Christian fiction. I guess its mainly what I read. I admit there have been a few older authors who use to be a little preachy I guess you call it. Like when they couple went to church they would have a couple pages preaching the sermon. Not just the gist of what was being preached and how it affected the people but it was like a sermon and I tended to skip over some of it. This doesn’t happen a lot. I do like a faith element and tackling harder issues. I also want to know how the sermon affected one of the characters and why rather than being preached to. I hope I am making sense.
I have read a few sweet and clean but I prefer the faith element in books.
That makes total sense. And yes, ha, some of the older books were much more bang you on the head preachy. I’m glad we’ve been able to move away from that.
I am a serious reader, and I am thrilled to find you and the other writers here. My husband just retired from the ministry this past July after 37 years. We asked to be posted in the little rural churches that were ignored by other pastors. It was hard, and it was wonderful to be placed in these little churches that shared from their gardens, or getting eggs from their farms. We raised our kids while tending to these little churches. I developed a very painful and disabling chronic illness the last few years of our ministry so we downsized and moved into an apartment that worked with my wheelchair. I really enjoy reading to help me relax from the pain. Thank you for following the Lord and writing the books that you do. It is a blessing for me.
Oh Sandra, thank YOU for your years of service to the King! I’m so glad books are able to help you relax and get away from the pain a little.
Now that I am older, I’ve come to like my books to be clean and sweet. I don’t like all of that explicit and gratuitous sex stuff. Nor the swearing. And, I do like a happy ending , too. If I can learn a lesson from it, too, that’s not bad either.